Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-04 at 15:02

HEADLINES
- Mossad overhaul expands operations across Middle East
- Serbian UN peacekeeper killed in Lebanon
- US eyes new Israel MoU curbs aid

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea led the Mossad to help change the entire Middle East, former top Mossad official Ilan Rom told the Jerusalem Post in an interview on Wednesday night. Rom, who served in the Mossad for around 25 years, discussed Barnea's "revolution of remaking portions of the Mossad" and said the purpose was to remake the system. He noted that before, Mossad could perform great operations but only one or two at a time, taking many years with large teams and very high standards. With the new structure, dozens of operations could be carried out at the same time, including during Operation Rising Lion in June 2025. When asked how Barnea made this possible, Rom credited Barnea with pulling 120% out of every person, from sub-commanders to agents.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a Serbian UN peacekeeper in Lebanon died from wounds after mortar shells hit his position near Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon late the previous night, the seventh peacekeeper killed in the country since March. Two other UNIFIL peacekeepers were wounded, one from El Salvador and the other from Spain. Sergeant Milovan Jovanovic of Serbia's 27th Mechanized Battalion was identified by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, who said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killing and that those responsible must be held to account. The incident is under investigation, based on an initial assessment. Separately, the IDF and Shin Bet said they struck and killed several senior members of Hamas' General Security Apparatus in the Gaza Strip overnight, a group responsible for protecting and coordinating with Hamas leadership. Among those killed was the Deputy Head of the General Security Apparatus, Hassan Rabah Hassan Labad, along with Asim Amin Shalash Shubair, Abdullah Ata Younes Abu Kaloub, and Muhammad Naaman Zaki Abu Mark. Labad was described by the IDF as a central decision-maker. The military stated the aim was to remove an immediate threat after efforts to rebuild the Hamas organization and assist its leadership in directing terrorism against Israel and Israeli troops.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Representative Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana) has introduced a non-binding resolution calling for negotiations on a new memorandum of understanding between the United States and Israel that would gradually end the annual $3.8 billion in American military assistance and replace it with a broader framework centered on defense cooperation, trade, and joint technological investment. The current 2016 MoU provides $38 billion in military aid through 2028, and Stutzman argued the relationship should move toward a mature agreement rather than ongoing aid. Netanyahu reportedly provided him with a letter of support after a meeting discussing the measure. In related policy notes, the United States has issued a security alert for travelers to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, signaling heightened caution for those planning their travel in the region.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the President of the Supreme Court, Justice Isaac Amit, and the Director of the Courts, Justice Tzachi Uziel, issued a letter to all judges after violent incidents by ultra-Orthodox protesters at the home of Supreme Court Vice President Justice Noam Sohlberg. They called the disturbances a red line and said the attacks undermined the security of judicial officeholders and their families. They pledged that the judiciary will take all measures to protect its personnel, noting the home was damaged with windows and a vehicle targeted as members of Sohlberg’s family were inside. At Jerusalem Pride Parade, thousands gathered as former prime minister Yair Lapid announced that in the first 100 days of the next government, a law would be passed ensuring equal rights for all couples, stating that “Mother and father, father and father, mother and mother, all will be equal before the law.” He urged continued support for the LGBT community, while protest signs around the parade included messages such as "No pride in genocide" and "No pride in apartheid." Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promoted Brigadier-General Guy Markizeno to military secretary, following the move of his former military secretary, Roman Gofman, to head the Mossad. Gofman’s appointment had been cleared by the High Court, and the leadership closely watched future postings, including the potential placement of Brigadier General Tal Politis as the US defense attaché; Politis has served as the navy’s deputy head and commander of the IDF's elite Navy SEAL unit.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898436
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-898435
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-898428
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-898426
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/77235
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-898413
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898421
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-898418